Acad meets Tech @Google
Exploring AI-Powered Teaching: ACAD Learning Workshop and Visit to Google Singapore
Fig. 1. Group photo with participants from ACAD and Trainers from Google.
As part of SIM Academic Division (ACAD)’s ongoing efforts to explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning, ACAD staff recently participated in a learning workshop and visit to Google Singapore focused on the use of Generative AI (GenAI) in education.
The workshop, “Transform Education with Gemini,” brought together 47 full-time staff and 23 part-time staff for a hands-on exploration of Google’s AI-powered tools and their potential applications in education.
The session featured three Google speakers: Ms Wan Jiawen, Education Lead; Mr Ricky Tan, Google for Education Gemini Adoption Solution Engineer (Higher Education); and Mr Felix Goh, Gemini Adoption Lead / Strategic Lead for Education, EdTech & Research (Google Cloud). Each speaker introduced different tools and use cases, including Gemini Notebook, Gemini, Gemini Canvas, Deep Research and Google Vids. Participants were also given hands-on time to experiment with the tools using a Pro account.
Fig. 2. Mr Felix Goh engaging with participants during the workshop.
From Ideas to Teaching Resources
One of the key highlights was seeing how GenAI can support educators in creating engaging and a variety of learning resources. Tools such as Gemini Notebook can condense information and transform content into formats such as slide decks, mind maps and flashcards, while Gemini Canvas can be used to develop interactive teaching resources, games and even dashboards from data.
For academic instructor Ms Lim Kah Yee, Google Vids stood out in particular. She shared that she had been looking for ways to make her lessons more engaging beyond explaining concepts verbally. The ability to generate high-quality videos from a simple prompt offered a practical way to introduce another mode of learning into her classes.
The workshop also highlighted how AI can support research and information gathering. Ms Lim noted that Gemini Deep Research could help students organise and synthesise information from multiple sources more efficiently, allowing them to identify key points while still engaging critically with the content.
Fig. 3. ACAD and Ms Wan Jiawen, Education Lead, Google Singapore during the learning workshop.
While the workshop showcased the growing capabilities of AI, participants also recognised that technology works best when paired with human guidance.
Ms Lim highlighted that AI can sometimes produce inaccurate or misleading information, making the lecturer’s role in evaluating information and guiding students towards better understanding of the subject especially important. Similarly, Mr Lim Tian Hwee, Senior Academic Instructor, noted that while AI can assist with content creation, lesson planning and multimedia development, lecturers remain essential in guiding, mentoring, and inspiring students.
The workshop provided ACAD staff with an opportunity not only to explore new technologies, but also to consider how these tools can be integrated purposefully into teaching. By combining the possibilities of GenAI with the expertise and judgement of educators, technology can serve as a powerful complement to teaching and create more engaging, accessible and meaningful learning experiences for students.
Fig. 4. Deputy Provost Professor Timothy Chan presenting tokens of appreciation to the trainers from Google Singapore Felix Goh, Wan Jiawen and Ricky Tan.